Commission Holds KCR Accountable for Kaleshwaram Project Issues

Quick summary:

• The PC Ghose Commission has identified irregularities and financial misconduct in the Kaleshwaram project, implicating former Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR).
• Crimes allegedly include suppression of Expert Committee reports, unilateral decision-making, ignoring technical recommendations, financial mismanagement, and hiding decisions from the Cabinet.
• Key findings pointed out:

– Intentional suppression of an Expert Committee report advising against constructing Medigadda barrage due to high costs and delays.
– Project shifted from Tummidihatti to Medigadda despite no strong technical justification.
– Initial cost of ₹38,500 crore inflated to ₹71,436 crore in February 2016 without detailed project approval; ultimately escalated to over ₹1.10 lakh crore by March 2022.

• Former ministers T Harish Rao & Eatala Rajender were named for failing in their respective oversight roles regarding infrastructure and finances; IAS officers S.K Joshi & Smita Sabharwal were also blamed for administrative lapses.
• Barrages reportedly lacked proper operation and maintenance procedures-unscientific continuous water impounding caused structural distress across infrastructure meant for diversion purposes only.
• Completion certificates issued were flagged as “illegal” indicating corruption favoring contractors.

Indian Opinion Analysis:
The PC Ghose Commission’s report highlights deep-rooted procedural violations and financial discrepancies in one of India’s most aspiring irrigation projects-the Kaleshwaram initiative in Telangana-a matter with long-lasting implications both fiscally and environmentally within the state framework. If validated fully through legal scrutiny or public audits, these findings may set a precedent on accountability standards for massive infrastructure ventures nationwide.

It’s evident that sidelining expert advice can have costly consequences-from wasteful expenditure soaring beyond initial estimates to structural instability jeopardizing local water security systems-underscoring India’s need for rigorous independent reviews across flagship projects before operational deployment phases proceed unchecked at leadership whims/desires!